God’s Unique Servants

by Gene Shelburne

They tell us it’s not wise to discuss religion or politics in public. Maybe this is the same “they” who tell us our religion should be kept separate from our politics. Maybe we’ve got a surprise for “them,” whoever they are. I suspect that since September 11, 2001, the   two have become so intertwined we couldn’t separate them if we tried.

Since that date we Americans have waved the flag and we’ve waved the Bible (and this is said with respect for both). Every day at our house now we fly our flag. Actually, it’s almost as though we live in a red, white, and blue land. American flags are everywhere.

And the news media, which normally distances itself from things spiritual, has reported freely about people at prayer, singing hymns, reading Scripture, and at worship. During this same time, I know that worship at our church has reflected a distinctly patriotic tone.

As I have watched newscasts of President Bush and his closest advisors in action, my thoughts keep coming back to the Scripture that tells us to pray for people in such positions of power, that these people are God’s servants to do us good, while at the same time they’re his servants of wrath to bring punishment on wrongdoers.

Christians I’ve spoken with seem impressed by the President and his top people, and feel the Lord has blessed us by their being in office. We can bless them in return by praying that each of them will realize they not only serve our country, but also uniquely serve God.

I have an idea our President realizes his servant status before the Lord. Being Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces is an awesome responsibility, and as we have entered into a shooting war, he surely must be spending personal time in prayer. Is there anyone in government anywhere who doesn’t need God’s help? Do you suppose God has been busy with Tony Blair in London? Let’s hope they all are asking God for wisdom.

Not just as Americans, but as Christians, we have an interest in what happens around us. We may not be of the world, but we’re in it, and there’s a serious deficit in our makeup if our Christian faith does not influence our world-view. We each serve God in our own special way as he gives us grace to do so. Let’s remember and honor our public servants, who, by God’s grace, are his servants also.